The first president of the United States, George Washington,died at the age 67 on this day in 1799. The diagnosis of his final illness and the immediate cause of his death have been subjects of debate since the day he died.

George Washington’s Death Bed in his home at Mt Vernon, VA.

George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799)

Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen (front left) became the first man to reach the South Pole on this day in 1911. He reached the area 35 days ahead of Captain Robert F. Scott.

Roald Engelbregt Gravning Amundsen(July 16, 1872 – June 18, 1928)

On this day in 1995, the presidents of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia signed an internationally brokered formal peace agreement in Paris to end fighting in Bosnia.

Roger Eugene Maris(September 10, 1934 – December 14, 1985)

Maris was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 1983. In response, Maris organized the annual Roger Maris Celebrity Golf Tournament to raise money for cancer research and treatment. He died at age 51 on December 14, 1985 at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston,Texas.